Files
Abstract
Gated communities consume the contemporary, American landscape physically, economically, and socially. Their development stems from historical beginnings of how to delineate space through design. Current literature debates their prominence as an outcome of peoples perceptions, driven by sense of community and fear. Using survey and observational methodologies, this thesis unveils the importance and intricacy of place identification in gated neighborhood entries and its ramifications on the greater public realm. Results suggest the importance of entryway design to these communities, as it influences perceptions of community and fear. This thesis serves as awareness to the trend of private community development practice-- opening a dialogue between planners, landscape architects, developers, and other stakeholders within the design field to better serve the needs of the public. Using the gated community as a medium for theory and analysis, the author addresses how landscape thresholds influence social interactions.